EGEE 102 Energy Conservation

And Environmental Protection

Ozone and Environment

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Ozone
O3
a gas composed of three atoms of
oxygen
bluish gas that is harmful to breathe
Nearly 90% of the Earth's ozone is in
the stratosphere and is referred to as
the ozone layer
Ozone absorbs a band of ultraviolet
radiation called UVB
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Ozone-Depleting
Substance(s) (ODS):
CFCs,
HCFCs,
halons,
methyl bromide,
carbon tetrachloride, and
methyl chloroform.

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Various sources

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Effects of OLD
-- Skin Cancer (melanoma and
nonmelanoma)
-- Premature aging of the skin and
other skin problems
-- Cataracts and other eye damage
-- Immune system suppression

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The Antarctic Ozone

Hole
The ozone hole is
defined as the area
having less than
220 dobson units
(DU) of ozone in
the overhead
column (i.e.,
between the
ground and space).

Source: http://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/multi/recent_ozone91200.gif
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http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/sbuv2to/ozone_hole_plot.gif

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Actions
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/ph
aseout/22phaseout.html

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What can we do?

Make sure that technicians working on
your car air conditioner, home air
conditioner, or refrigerator are certified
by an EPA approved program to recover
the refrigerant (this is required by law).
Have your car and home air conditioner
units and refrigerator checked for leaks.
When possible, repair leaky air
conditioning units before refilling them.
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What can we do?

Contact local authorities to properly dispose
of refrigeration or air conditioning
equipment.
Protect yourself against sunburn. Minimize
sun exposure during midday hours (10 am
to 4 pm). Wear sunglasses, a hat with a
wide brim, and protective clothing with a
tight weave. Use a broad spectrum
sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF)
of at least 15 and 30 is better.
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Ground level Ozone

Formation
Secondary Pollutant
VOCs+ NOx Ozone
In presence of sunlight
Ozone + NOX + HCs Smog
(haze)

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Photochemical Smog

O3

NO
CO,RH

NO2

CO

CO

PAN

HC

Haze

6:00AM
12NOON
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3:00PM
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Smog Sources

Source: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/regusmog/smog.html
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Sources of Volatile
Organic Carbons

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Sources of NOx

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What can We do?

Keep your automobile well tuned and
maintained.
Carpool, use mass transit, walk, bicycle,
and/or reduce driving, especially on hot
summer days.
Be careful not to spill gasoline when filling
up your car or gasoline-powered lawn and
garden equipment. During the summer, fill
your gas tank during the cooler evening
hours.
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What can we do?

Make sure your car's tires are properly
inflated and your wheels are aligned.
Participate in your local utility's energy
conservation programs.
Seal containers of household cleaners,
workshop chemicals and solvents, and
garden chemicals to prevent VOC from
evaporating into the air. Dispose of
them properly.
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